Trivia

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, CA on 8/30/011. Was joined by his television wives, Katey Sagal and Sofía Vergara, and his real-life wife, Catherine Rusoff.

Learned (and still practices) Brazilian Ju-Jitsu from the famous Gracie family. He has achieved black belt level.

Expected Matrimonio con hijos (1987) to be canceled within the first six episodes.

Taught Social Studies in his hometown of Youngstown, OH, before acting.

In 2007, he earned his black belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu after 15 years of training.

Was set to board a flight to Hawaii when a fan came up to him and politely asked for a picture with him. Ed reluctantly said yes and took a picture with her not realizing the fan was Britney Spears.

Father, with Catherine Rusoff, of daughters Claire O'Neill and Sophia O'Neill.

In both real life and on his series Modern Family (2009), he has a daughter named Claire.

Invented the popular sandwich called the "Boone" at the famous Se-port Deli at 301 Main Street, East Setauket, New York 11733.

Was nearly cast as Sam Malone on Cheers (1982); the role went to Ted Danson instead. Shelley Long, who played Sam Malone's love interest, Diane Chambers on Cheers, would later play an ex-wife to O'Neill's character on Modern Family (2009).

Was considered for the role of Steven Keaton on Enredos de familia (1982); the role went to Michael Gross instead.

Started working construction when he was 14 years old. During college he worked in the steel mills in his hometown of Youngstown, OH, as an apprentice boilermaker.

Was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers under first-year coach Chuck Noll (1969). Also among the Steelers' rookies that year were "Mean Joe" Greene, L.C. Greenwood and Jon Kolb, all of whom were named to the Steelers All-Time Team in 2007. He was released before the start of the 1969 regular season.

Often plays policemen on television series or movies. On an episode of Matrimonio con hijos (1987), he dreamed that he was a detective.

The first actor from Fox to host Saturday Night Live (1975) in 1990; three years later his Matrimonio con hijos (1987) co-star, Christina Applegate hosted the show.

Attended and graduated from Ursuline High School, a former all-girls school, in Youngstown, OH.

Because of his signature role of Al Bundy, a character who had no interest in politics outside of some extremely conservative/reactionary episodes, fans assumed 'Neill was also conservative and/or a Republican. In real life, he is a longtime Democrat who publicly opposed the Iraq War in 2003 and did a campaign ad for Barack Obama in 2008 (playing a character named "Al the Shoe Salesman").

After the end of the run of Matrimonio con hijos (1987), he starred in television commercials for Collect Phone Calls in 1998 and 1999.

Ed O'Neill is exactly one year older than Dan Lauria whose iconic character, Jack Arnold on Los años maravillosos (1988) wore the same beige jacket that Ed O'Neill's character, Al Bundy, wore. Al Bundy is also one year older than Jack Arnold from an "original air date" standpoint, as Matrimonio con hijos (1987) premiered the year before Los años maravillosos (1988). In addition, Al Bundy's birthday (November 7, 1948) is the day after Jack Arnold's (November 6, 1927).